Can a person with a class b cdl drive a semi tractor if not pulling a trailer that has air brakes?

Question

Can a person with a class b cdl drive a semi tractor if not pulling a trailer that has air brakes?

Answer 1

Just call your local department of motor vehicles and get the correct answer....

Answer 2

Air Brakes have nothing to do with a Class "B" license.  It's a weight issue.  

If a commercial truck has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or greater, you are required to have a Class "B" license to operate it.  You can pull any trailer up to and including 10,000 pounds regardless of the configuration of that trailer (ball mount, goose-neck, etc.).  

If that trailer is heavier than 10,000 pounds, then you are required to have a Class "A" license.  

If any part of the combination, whether it be the tractor/truck or trailer is equipped with air brakes, then you would have to have the Air Brakes restriction removed from your license by taking the test in your state.

Hope this helps....

Answer 3

It goes by gross weight of the vehicle in your case Semi-tractor.  Also the Cdl is good for all states in the USA.

Answer 4

not in the state of illinois.

Answer 5

not in floriduh, u need an A - because of the air brakes on the tractor..

Answer 6

I have a class b with air brake and I drive a semi tractor without the trailer

Answer 7

I am from ma. and the answer is No. Look on the back ofyour licence and it tells you what you can drive.

Answer 8

have too have a class A to drive a semi tractor because of the weight of the semi truck.class B is for under 26001 lbs.AND THEN AGAIN IF YOU FEEL LUCKY AND DONT DRIVE OVER A SCALE YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH IT. BUT IT IS UP TO YOU, IF YOU FEEL YOU COULD DO IT WITH OUT GETTING CAUGHT? BECAUSE YOU COULD LOSE YOUR CDL IF YOUR CAUGHT????????????

Answer 9

As long as the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle is less than 26,001 lbs and you are not pulling the trailer over 10,000 LBS it is legal.  To determined the GVWR Look at the small tag by the door.  To assist you in making that determination I attach the Federal regulations concerning licensing (49 CRF Part 383)  

By the way all states must comply with the same regulations.

§383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups.

(a) Vehicle group descriptions.  Each driver applicant must possess and be tested on his/her knowledge and skills, described in subpart G of this part, for the commercial motor vehicle group(s) for which he/she desires a CDL. The commercial motor vehicle groups are as follows:

(a)(1) Combination vehicle (Group A) — Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).

(a)(2) Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) — Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR.

(a)(3) Small Vehicle (Group C) — Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor that of Group B as contained in this section, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F).

§383.95 Air brake restrictions.

(a) If an applicant either fails the air brake component of the knowledge test, or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the State shall indicate on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes.

(b) For the purposes of the skills test and the restriction, air brakes shall include any braking system operating fully or partially on the air brake principle.

Answer 10

Eddie R explained it best (see above)

In case you were looking for a second opinion.

Air brakes has nothing to do with your situation. It is all about the weight.

Class C= 26,000 or lass total

Class B = 26,001 + total, with a trailer of 10,000 or less (GVWR located on the door plate, NOT THE SCALE

WEIGHT!!!!!!!)

Class A= 26,001 + with a trailer of 10,001+

Air brake endorsement needed only if operating a commercial vehicle which is equipped with air brakes